As many as 900 runners competed in the 26^th Da Nang Newspaper Road Races which took place at the Tien Son Sport Arena on Sunday morning.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Council Nguyen Thi Anh Thi presented souvenir flags to representatives from the groups of participating runners

The runners came from 75 government agencies and departments, senior high schools, junior colleges and universities across Da Nang, and Da Nang-based armed forces, along with 13 groups of professional athletes from provinces and cities across the country, including Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Gia Lai, Quang Binh, Ninh Thuan, Kontum, Quang Ngai, Thai Binh, Binh Dinh , Thua Thien - Hue, the Da Nang Athlete Training Centre and the Da Nang National Sports Training Centre.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Fatherland Front Committee Duong Dinh Lieu gave souvenir flags to representatives from the groups of participating runners

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Da Nang Newspaper Editor-in-chief cum Head of the races’ organising board Nguyen Duc Nam affirmed that the city leaders’ great care is a source of spiritual encouragement to ensure the success of the annual Da Nang Newspaper Road Races, becoming a festival of the running community.

Da Nang Newspaper Editor-in-chief cum Head of the races’ organising board Nguyen Duc Nam gave souvenir flags to representatives from the groups of participating runners

He added, over the past years, the Da Nang Newspaper Road Races have seen a significant increase in the quality and quantity of runners. Professional or amateur athletes participate in the races with a spirit of strong determination.

Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Pham Tan Xu congratulated participating athletes.

He highlighted the significance of the event in training talented runners for Da Nang, as well as promoting sporting spirit among people from all walks of life, civil servants, school pupils and university students, military officers and men across Da Nang.

Da Nang Newspaper Editor-in-chief cum Head of the races’ organising board Nguyen Duc Nam spoke at the opening ceremony

The newspaper’s leader also took the opportunity to thank the event’s sponsors for their active support. They were the Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper Printing House, the Central Da Nang Investment JSC, the Truong Ban Construction Co., Ltd., the Phu My Hoa Co., Ltd., the municipal Young Entrepreneurs’ Association, the Ngu Hanh Son District People's Committee, the Lien Viet Tien Construction JSC, the Suntory Pepsico Vietnam Beverage Company Limited, the Da Nang General Printing One Member Co.,Ltd, the Prudential Vietnam Insurance Co.,Ltd, the Phuoc Thinh Phat Co.,Ltd, and the Bien Gioi Construction Co.,Ltd.

Mr Nguyen Duc Nam (middle) presented flowers sponsors

Participating runners competed in individual, team and group events in distances of 1.5km, 2km, 3km, 4km, 5km and 7km, and in 9 blocks, including junior high schools; senior high schools; agencies, factories, schools and amateur athletes; districts; militia force in ward and commune level; self-defence force of agencies, enterprises and local soldiers; the main army force and professional athletes.

City leaders and members of the organising board ran in response to the sports event

The Da Nang Newspaper Road Races is held in December every year to celebrate the founding anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army (December 22) and the People’s National Defence Day (December 22).

However, the unfavourable weather conditions in the month affect the organisation and competition process of athletes. Therefore, with the agreement of the organisers and the approval of the municipal People's Committee, from the 26^th edition of the Da Nang Newspaper Road Race onward, the sports event will be held in April to mark the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30).

Reporting by PHI NONG, NGOC QUOC - Translating by M.DUNG